Box making machine



Feb. 18, 1958 P. E. FISCHER Box MAKING MACHINE I l R J l Q" NGN E Y u Zn@ m H WW W m l Il m u V l o l MF M m 5 A m @5% L u@ m s@ QV. man.. mN.NNNNNN. y @NTL B QN m MNM Q WsQW Nu Y# m QQQK WUYL WQN QWNK J A Feb. 18,1958 P. E. FISCHER 2,823,594

BOX MAKING MACHINE Filed March 2, 1955 6 Sheets-Shea?I 2 A INVENToR. l

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84m HJC/1ER ATTORNEYS United States Patent O Box MAKING MACHINE Paul E.Fischer, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to E. G. Staude ManufacturingCompany, Inc., St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of New HampshireApplication March 2, 1955, Serial No. 491,570

17 Claims. (Cl. 93-49) This invention relates to box making machines andmore particularly to those machines which incorporate a plurality ofwork sections in series operation. Characteristically the modern boxmaking machine will include as its usual components, a plurality of workstations of which there may be mentioned, a feeding station, a preoldingsection, a gluer Isection and a delivery table. In some box makingmachines there may be incorporated additional sections or stations atwhich other work operations are carried out. The present invention isapplicable to most modern box making machines and it will be understoodthat the particular work stations and sections that are incorporatedinto machines made according to this invention may be varied accordingto the desire of the machine designer.

In the usual box making machine the work stations are arranged alongeither a straight line or along a path which may be described asL-shaped. The present invention is adaptable to use in either generalform. In either form of box making machine it is customary to provide aplurality of adjustments at each station, so that the box formingmechanisms can be varied to many sizes of boxes undergoing formation.The usual form of box making machine has been constructed upon what maybe roughly described as a frame of rectangular form, the frame beingcomposed of side members extending along the length of the machine. Uponthis usual type of frame are provided a plurality of cross frame memberspositioned at appropriate intervals to serve as mountings for thevarious box forming components. Whether of straight line or of L-shapedplan, the box forming machine has invariably been composed of such sideframe members, used on at least one side.

In addition, the customary box forming machine is provided with a-powertransmission shaft or other device such as belts or chains extendingalong the entire length of the machine, the power shaft being positionedalong one or the other sides of the machine. From the power shaft thereextends power transmitting mechanisms of varying forms which may includegear or chain drives to the various rolls, belts, and other box formingmechanisms which lie along the path of movement of the box componentthrough the machine.

The usual form of box forming machine includes upper and lower beltcarriers arranged to run `along track-ways in parallel disposition, andpositioned so that the box blank may be gripped between the parallelmoving belts. As the box i-s thus carried the box component, or blank,as it is most usually called, is caused to engage various moving andstationary box forming mechanisms, such as twist belts, swords, plows,or guides which serve to cause a folding motion of the box blank, uponpreformed crease lines in the box blank of which the box isformed. Sincethe sizes of the boxes which may be formed on` a particu- `lar machine,may vary widely, it is essential that the .mechanismsfor mounting themoving belts and forholding the cooperating box forming twist belts,swords, plows, guides and stationary lelements shall all be capable of2,823,594 Patented Feb. 18, 1958 Fpice being adjusted and movedtransversely of the longitudinal axis of the box machine frame, so as toaccommodate manufacture of any size of box'within the range of machine.Machines have thus customarily been provided with belts, belt guides,belt drives and supporting mechanisms, all adjustable according to thewill of the operator, to' varying positions transversely in respect tothe longitudinal axis of the machine.

Thus in the customary machine heretofore available there have beenprovided fixed side frame members along one or both sides of the machineand a power transmitting device such as a shaft or chains along one orboth sides of the machine. These, in general, form the boundary of themachine and yet within this boundary, which may be of considerablewidth, the varying mechanisms must be adjusted transversely at thevarious stations along the box forming machine. In wide box formingmachines particularly, the operator is thus compelled to reach Aover aconsiderable portion of the width of the machine to be able to handlethe box forming mechanisms which are adjustable transversely within thewidth of the machine. The long reach thus necessitated is cumbersome andawkward for the operator; it leads to maladjustment of the machine and asloppy operation, and has many disadvantages.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved boxforming machine where the main frame of the machine is of negligible,non-interfering height and width and is located centrally along thelongitudinal axis of the machine, regardless of whether the machine is astraight-line machine, or one of L-shape formation. It is a furtherobject of the invention to provide an improved box forming machinewherein the entire power transmitting mechanism of the machine isconfined to a narrow space along'the central axis of the machine and ata low level. It is another object of the invention to provide animproved box forming machine having a low main central frame of narrowwidth extending along the active portions of the box forming machine andto provide a plurality of drive units at intervals along the box formingmachine and uponwhich the various box forming mechanisms are mounted fortransverse adjustment relative to the axis of the machine. It is anotherobject of the invention to provide a box forming machine having a mainframe and power transmission of 10W total elevations and narrow widthwith connection extending from one end of the machine to the other butinterrupted at a plurality of stations, herein designated vdrive units.It is a further object of the invention to provide a box forming machinein which there are a plurality of drive units of uniform design andpositioned at spaced intervals along the paths of movement of the boxthrough the box forming operation, and to provide connecting framesjoining each drive unit with the next one, said frames rbeing low and ofmuch narrower transverse dimensions than the drive units themselves. Itis a further object of the invention to provide an improved box makingmachine wherein the folding frames are supported at opposite endsthereof by spaced drive units of uniform construction, said foldingframes being so made as to allow translating to various positionstransversely of the axis of the machine and to provide simultaneousadjustment of cooperating folding frames and top carriers, and all boxforming elements carried thereby, from any one of .a plurality ofstations. v

' Other and'further objects are those inherent in the apparatus hereinillustrated, described and claimed.

The invention is illustrated with reference to the drawings in whichFigure 1 is a plan view of an exemplary form of box forming machineconstructed in accordance with the present invention. In Figure 1 allfolder frames and top carriers lare removed.

Figure 2 is a side elevational View of the exemplary form of box formingmachine shown in Figure 1. In Figure 2 the folder frames are shown, buttop carriers are omitted.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational view partly broken away of oneof the drive units of the box forming machine of the present invention.This particular drive unit is the one forming the end of the prefoldersections (to the left) and the beginning of the gluer section (to theright), but all drive units are similar and this view thereforeillustrates all of them.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of a portion of thebox forming machine of the present invention with certain of the partsremoved for purposes of simplicity. In Figure 4 one representativesequence of belts (along the center track) of the complete machine isillustrated. The framing has been largeiy eliminated in this figure inthe interest of simplification.

Figure 5 is an enlargement of the central part of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical side elevational view of theright side of the prefolder section, and representatively illustratesthat portion of the box forming machine extending from approximately thecenter of the drive unit at the feeder end to the center of the nextadjacent drive unit which forms the junction of the prefolder and gluersections. It will be noted parenthetically that the particular sectionof Figure 4 which shows the center track, should not be confused withthe side elevations of Figure 6. There are three folder frames in thepre-folder section and the belt patterns are not identical, but varyfrom folder frame to folder frame as is well known in the art.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line in thedirection of arrow 7-7 of Figure 6. This figure shows the folder framesof the prefolder sections.

Figure S is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken alongthe line and in the direction of arrows 8 8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the lineand in the direction of arrows 9 9 of Figure 3.

Figure 10 is fragmentary thru the vertical transverse sectional viewtaken along the line and in the direction of arrows 1tl-1tl of Figure 3thru the drive unit gear core.

Figure ll is a transverse fragmentary vertical sectional view takenalong the line and in the direction of arrows 11-11 of Figure 3. Thisligure assists in understanding the drive unit gearing.

Figure 12A is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View thru one of the topcarrier bracket position adjustment shafts showing the chain sprocketand sprocket clutch of said shaft, and the clutch control rod. Figure12B is a sectional View taken along the line and in the direction ofarrows 12B-12i3 of Figure 12A.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figures l and 2 there isillustrated one exemplary form of machine made according to the presentinvention. ln this machine there are a plurality of work stations orsections including a feeder station, generally designated it?, a prefoldsection generally designated 11, a gluer section generally designated12, and a delivery table generally designated 13. It will be understoodthat in other machines, other different sequences of work operations mayoccasionally be included and that in some machines the prefolder sectionmay be omitted, and that the particular number and variety of workoperations in the box form.- ng sequence may be varied according to thedesire of the designer and that the work stations or sections will bevaried accordingly.

In accordance with the present invention the entire box forming machineis composed of a plurality of transmission mechanisms and support standswhich for purposes of nomenclature are herein designated drive units,the number of such drive units whichare used, being appropriate to thenumber and variety of work operations in the device. These drive unitsare, in Figure 1, the mechanisms shown generally at 15, 16, and 17. Forthe convenience in design and to reduce cost, it is preferable accordingto this invention, to utilize identical mechanisms at the points 15, 16and 17, although they may be varied if desired. The details of the driveunits will be described more fully hereinafter.

Between the drive units 15 and 16 and between the units 16 and 17 thereare longitudinally extending machine :frames 1S and 19. At the feed endof the machine there is a box blank feeding mechanism generallydesignated 20 which may be of any approved type. At the delivery end ofthe machine there is usually provided what is known as a delivery tablehere generally designated 21. rThe details of the feeding and deliverymechanisms may be widely varied and are selected by the designeraccording to the needs of the particular situation. Where power isneeded for driving the feed table, it is derived from drive unit 15,upon which the feed table may be entirely supported, if desired. Wherepower delivery belts are needed or desired, power therefore is derivedfrom drive unit 17.

Between each of the drive units 15 and 16 and between drive units 16 and17 there are provided narrow longitudinal machine frames here designated18 and 19. These machine frame members have a transverse dimension(Figure 1) which need be only sufficient to provide space for the powertransmitting shaft generally designated 22 and composed of sections 39Aand 39B. The frames 18 and 19 may, if desired, be of box section only afew inches across, for example 8 to l0 inches wide at the dimension forenclosing drive shaft 22. In some instances the drive units 15, 16 and17 can simply be set upon a floor plate so as to hold dimension, and asimple cover provided for drive 22.

At each end of the frame 18 and at each end of the frame 19 it isdesirable somewhat to enlarge the width as at 23 and 24 for the frame 18and 25 and 26 for the frame 19, so as to allow a more rm attachment tothe transverse central base boxes 27 of each of the drive units 15, 16and 17.

Within the central base boxes 27 of each of the drive units 15, '16 and17 there is provided a gear unit as at 2S for drive unit 15; 29 fordrive unit 16 and 30 for drive unit 17. These gear units are identicalfor all drive units 15, 16 and 17. Each gear unit has a through shaft,that is to say each is provided with a shaft extending entirely thru thehousing of the gear unit aligned with the longitudinal axis of theentire machine. This thru shaft of each gear unit is providediatopposite ends with couplings, preferably of a flexible type so as toaccept slight misalignment. Within each of the gear housings there isprovided an angle gear which drives and rotates the side output driveshaft as at 31 for the housing 28, 32 for the housing 29, and 33 for thehousing 30. Upon the gear rousing 30 of drive unit 17, or at some otherconvenient place' along the machine, there is mounted an extending inputpower shaft 34 provided with a multiple V-belt pulley 35 over which thebelts 36 are run. A drive motor is provided at 37. Accordingly, themotor 37 drives the belt 36 which drives the multiple V-belt pulley 35and this will cause rotation of the shaft 34 thereby causing rotation ofthe through shaft of the housing 30 which is connected by means of theflexible coupling 38 to the connecting transmission shaft 39A, which isin turn connected by the flexible coupling 40 to the through shaft ofthe transmission housing 29. Another llexible coupling at 41 connects toshaft 39B which is in turn connected by the flexible coupling 42 to thethrough shaft of the gear housing 28. The protruding end 44 of the gearhousing 28 is not connected to anything unless power is needed at thispoint for auxiliary mechanisms. Power for the feed table is best derivedfrom the gearing and shafts of drive unit 15.. 1t is desirable so far asuni- ,gear box 51.

formity of design and convenience and economy of manufacture to use gearcases of uniform design, at 28, 29 and 30.

Therefore, it is one of the features of the machine to provide alongitudinally extending shaft assembly 22 from a drive motor at onepoint along the length of the machine thence through a plurality of gearunits at intervals along the machine all located at a low level alongthe center line of the path of movement of box blanks thru the machine.This center line is here designated C-L, Figure 1.

From each of the gear housings (28, 29 and 30) there extends a sideshaft as at 31, 32 and 33 and these extend into the side frame of theirrespective drive units .and provide the power input thereto. The driveunits are best illustrated in Figures l, 2, 3, l0 and l1. The driveunits are preferably of identical design and are here illustrated assuch. Hence only one drive unit need be described in detail.

Thus the drive unit 16, which is representative, is composed of uprightframe members 50 and 51. These upright side frame members serve asmechanical frame and as mountings for all of the transversely extendingshafts and frame members of the drive unit. The frame member 50 containsno gear mechanisms but the frame member 51 is a housing made in severalparts which may be separated as along the plane 1-2, in Figures 10 andll and within this two part frame housing are contained the drivinggears of that drive unit. Thus referring to Figure 10, the housing 51 iscomposed of an inner portion 52 and an outer or cover portion 53suitably attached together so as to form a gear case space at 54 withinwhich a plurality of interconnecting gears are journaled. The driveshaft 32 of the gear housing 29 is connected through a flexible couplingat 55, see Figure 1, to the shaft 56, see Figures l0 and 11, whichextends through a grease seal and journal at 57 and is provided with agear 58 thereon within the housing space 54. The gear 58 is the maindrive gear for the entire gearing in the drive unit. Referring toFigures 3, and l1 it will be noted that gear 58 meshes with and rotatesthe gear 60 which is thick and in turn meshes with and rotates the gears61 and 62. Gear 61 is offset forwardly and gear 62 rearwardly in Figure3. Gear 62 is keyed upon and drives shaft 64, :and gear 61 is similarlykeyed upon and drives shaft 65. Gear 61 serves as the drive gear for theidler 66 with which it meshes. Gear 66 meshes with idler gear 68, whichin turn meshes with and drives the gears 69 and 70. The gear 69 is keyedupon and drives the shaft 71 and the lgear 70 is keyed upon and drivesthe shaft 72. Any of' the gears in the housing 51 may be utilized as asource of power for any desired work operation of the machine.

If desired other gear arrangements or sprocket and chain drive may besubstituted for the particular gearing shown. It is only necessary thatshafts 64,65, 71 and 72 be rotated in unison and in the directions shownfrom :a common power input shaft at 56. Each drive stand 15, 16 and 17may be considered as composed of two independent halves to the right andto the left of a division plane at the line 11-11 in Figure 3. Shafts 65and 72, each driven as described, serve the mechanisms to the left ofthe stand, and shafts 64 and 71 serve the mechanisms to the right of thestand. Mechanical support for mechanisms to the left and those to theright of the stand are independent and are provided by the drive unitframe. It is as though the entire drive unit were sliced through atplane 11-11, except that a common power supply via `shaft 56 and thegear box is provided and unitary framing for the stand is possible. Thismode of construction, a feature of the herein dened invention anddiscovery, permits wide variation in design and adjustment of successivesections.

Each of the shafts 65, 72, 64 and 71 is provided with a key slotextending from side frame 50 to side frame Upon these shafts are keyedpulleys of identical Working diameter (in the usual machine) .which 6are slideable along the shafts, or they may be connected to other powerusing mechanisms.

For uniformity of nomenclature, the various shafts at positions 65, 72,64 and 71 are given these same numbers in all of the drive units 15, 16and 17.

As here illustrated the shafts 65 and 72 are the driving shafts by meansof which the box forming belts to the left, in Figure 3 of drive unit 16(namely the prefolder sections), are operated whereas shafts 64 and 71are the shafts -by means of which the driving belts to the right, inFigure 3 (namely the gluer sections) are operated. This will be betterunderstood from Figure 4. Thus referring to Figure 4 the drive unit 15is at the feed table end of the entire machine. Shaft 72 of drive unit15 is idle; shaft 65 drives the feed table 20. The two shafts 71 and 64of drive unit 15 are the shafts by means of which the carrier belts atthe beginning end of the prefold section of the machine are operated.These carrier belts, of the prefold sections run over a series ofpulleys which include pulley 96 on the shaft 72 and pulley 86 on `theshaft 65 of the drive unit 16. Similarly at the drive unit 16 the shaft71 and the shaft 64 are the operating shafts which serve to operate thebelts of the gluer sections in cooperation with drive unit 17. Thus, thelower belt 250 of the gluer section runs over a series of pulleys whichare driven from the shaft 64 of the drive unit 16 and from the shaft 65of the drive unit 17. The upper carrier belt 251 operates from only th'eshaft 71 of the drive unit 16. It will be understood that thetransmission mechanisms 28, 29 and 30 of drive units 15, 16 and 17,respectively, see Figure l, have equal gear ratios and accordinglycorrespondingly numbered shafts, such as shaft 71 of drive unit 15 and71 of drive unit 16 and 71 of drive unit 17 operate at precisely thesame speed. Therefore all correspondingly numbered shafts at each driveunit will therefore operate at a speed corresponding with that of eachsimilarly numbered shafts at other drive units. This could be varied ifdesired, but it will usually be found more convenient to have a uniformgear ratio throughout the entire mechanism, so as to allow forinterchangeability of parts.

Thus, in each of the drive units there is provided a suitable drivingmechanism by which power may be derived conveniently and adequately fordriving the various travelling belts of the box forming machine.

Each of the drive units 15, 16 and 17 is likewise provided withtransverse supporting shafts and guides by means of which there may besupported between the adjacent drive units, various folder frames, topcarriers, top carrier brackets and other mechanisms along which thetravelling belts move and with which they cooperate for carrying out thebox folding operations.

The paths of movement of the traveling belts of the gluer station andthe prefold station, and any other stations that may be incorporated ina particular machine, are well known in the industry, and it willtherefore be assumed that the designer is acquainted with the particulartravelling belt path and arrangement that is desired. So likewise, itwill be assumed that the designer of a particular machine is familiarwith the use of such Well known box forming mechanisms as the sword, theplow, curved bars, guides and other fixed (adjustably positionable)elements as are normally used in the box making machine industry.

In the interest of uniformity of nomenclature some of these elementswill be defined. In the usual box making machine and in each of theso-called prefolder and gluer sections, there are normally providedthree lower belts which travel thru the length of such section. Thesebelts are carried on beam-like elements called folder frames and rollersare provided below each belt at intervals to provide belt support withminimum friction. These frames are called the right folder frame (asviewed, looking in the direction the blank moves thru the machine), theleft folder frame and the center track. The box blanks are carried byfirst one and then another of these belts, and the blanks are held downby upper belts which travel portions of the distance of each lower belttravel. The upper belts are carried by top carrier brackets or moresimply top carriers. The top carriers also serve as mechanical mountsfor various fixed elements such as a sword, plow and ban A sword is usedto hold the blank down while it is being folded over by a fixed ormovable element, whereas a plow will fold or open the blank again toiiat condition. Curved bars and guides, variously shaped and contrivedaid in the folding and opening operations. In the prefolder" the boxblanks are folded along some of the preformed creases of the blank andthen opened again flat. In the gluer, the blanks are again folded alongthe crease lines usually differing from those where folds were made inthe prefolder.y Glue is applied by glue rolls. Such, briefly, is theusual operation and nomenclature, and it will be used herein.

The support for the travelling belts and other mechanisms is accordingto this invention entirely derived from the drive units. Thus, referringto Figure 4, in the prefolder section, there are provided three lowerbelts, of which one, namely, belt S9 (Figure 4) has a horizontal upper`course of travel as indicated by the arrow 81. This belt travels in thedirection of motion of the box blank travel through the machine, i. e.,in the direction of arrow 82 and begins its horizontal travel at a guidepulley 83. The belt then travels along the folder frame (not shown inFigure 4) which is positioned in the space 84 and supported as willhereinafter be described, at its ends by drive units l5 and 16. The beltS8 is supported along its path of travel by closely spaced rollers, asis well known in the art. The horizontal travel of belt 80 continuesuntil it reaches a guide pulley 85 at drive unit 16 whereupon the beltturns around the guide pulley and proceeds downwardly around a largedrive pulley 86 which is mounted upon the shaft 65 of drive unit 16.This pulley is driven by the gear 61, see Figure 3. After travellingaround a major portion of the periphery of the drive pulley 86 the beltthen proceeds over an idler and guide pulley 88 and returns along ahorizontal path of travel and passes over two belt tightener pulleys 89and then continues to an idler 9i) whence it then continues around adrive pulley 91 at the drive unit 15, the latter being mounted on shaft64 at unit l5. The belt then returns to pulley 83. The belt 80 is ofcourse continuous and is of any appropriate width. Pulleys 91 and 86 areboth of the same size and are both driven at the same speed. Each iskeyed to its shaft and may slide thereon. Cooperating with the belt 80is another belt 92 which begins its path of horizontal travel at theguide pulley 94 and also travels horizontally in the direction of arrow81 along a path of travel parallel to and superimposed upon the path oftravel of the lower belt 80, so as to hold a box blank between thebelts. rThis path of travel coincides and terminates at guide pulley 95,whence the belt continues around a large drive pulley 96 which is on theshaft 72 at the drive unit 16 then travels around a guide pulley 97 andalong a short horizontal path of travel to a second guide pulley 98, atakeup pulley 99, further takeup pulley 100, another guide pulley 101,thence to the guide pulley 102 and around another large drive pulley asthe same diameter of pulley 96, the latter being pulley 104- on theshaft 71 of the drive unit 15. Whereupon the belt continues to thestarting pulley 94. The pulleys 99 and 100 are so mounted as to permitbelt tightening or may be desired for removing the path of travel fromthe upper belt for operational purposes involving folding of the boxblank. Thus the pulleys 89, 90, 100 and 101 guide the upper belt off ofthe lower belt, and in this free space, various stationary elements forperforming work operations, may be placed.

In the section designated gluerj of Figure 4, there are cooperatinglower belt 250 and upper belt 251. The

lower belt has a horizontal course of travel in the direction of arrow252 which begins at pulley 253 on the folder frame upstream end at driveunit 16. The belt 250 then travels horizontally along its folder frame(not shown in Figure 4) to pulley 254 at drive unit 17, thence arounddrive pulley 255 keyed to (but slideable on) shaft 65 of unit 17, thenceback over guide pulley 256, belt take up pulleys 257 and 258, guidepulley 259, drive pulley 270 keyed to (but slideable on) shaft 64 ofdrive unit 16 and then to pulley 253. Belt 251 starts a horizontalcourse of travel at pulley 272, and is superimposed on belt 250 for aways, thence travels up around pulley 273, over tighteners 274 and 276,around pulley 277, thence around drive pulley 278 keyed to (butslideable on) shaft 71 and thence to pulley 272. All of the pulleys onwhich belt 251 travel are mounted on a top carrier frame 275 of whichonly a fragment is shown in Figure 4. Frame 275 is carried by drive unit16. The free space downstream from pulley 273 normally receivesstationary guides such as swords, plows, etc., as is well known. Themounting of such stationary elements is elsewhere described herein.

The entire section marked Conveyor in Figure 4 is driven from drive unit17 to which it is attached. It consists of a lower belt 280 running onpulleys 281, 282, 283 and driven by pulley 284 keyed to shaft 64 ofdrive unit 17. Pulley 284 can, if desired, be slid along shaft 64 tovarying positions to align the delivery belt 280 with the work, if belt280 is of narrow design. The holddown belt 285 runs on pulleys 286, toan end pulley not shown, and back over pulleys 288, 289, 290, 291 and292 to drive pulley 293 keyed to shaft 71 of unit 17. Shaft 72 of unit17 can be omitted in this unit. A pair of squeeze rolls 295 and 296 aremounted as shown so the finished and glued boxes pass between them andare driven by gears or chain drive from shafts 71 and 64 respectively.

The feed table in Figure 4 is shown diagrammatically. Its belt 300, ifsuch is used, is run over appropriately positioned pulleys and is drivenby drive pulley 301 on shaft 65 of unit 15. Where other modes of feedingare used requiring power feed, the power can be derived from shaft 65 orshaft 72.

lt will be understood that in the prefold station and in the gluerstation there are usually three set sof belts such as belt and 92 whichcooperate to carry the blank during various portions of its travel thruthe prefolding and gluing operations, as is well known. Hence thosedescribed are merely illustrative. The paths of travel must beadjustable to various positions at different spacings from the centerline (C-L) of the machine (see Figure l) and for full utility any ofsaid belts should be capable of wide adjustment to varying paths oneither side of the center line of the machine. According to the presentinvention the folder frames carrying the pulleys for the lower belts andthe top carriers which similarly serve to carry the upper belts, andstationary mechanical elements are entirely supported from the driveunits 15, 16 and 17 which define the beginning and the end of theparticular section of the machine. Thus, the particular folder frameproviding support for the belt 80 and all other folder frames of theprefolder section (Figure 4) are supported at their ends from driveunits 15 and 16 for this prefolder and by drive units 16 and 17 for thegluer. Likewise, the top carrier brackets for supporting the belt 92(Figure 4) throughout its continuous course of travel and all other topcarriers in the prefolder section and glucr are supported at one or bothof their ends by the drive units 15 and 16 or 16 and 17. Top carriersmay be supported from one drive unit alone or both and these likewiseare laterally adjustable with the folder frames with which theycooperate.

All of the folder frames and top carriers are not specificallyillustrated in the drawings, for to do so would unnecessarily multiplythe illustrations. However, a repfesentative folder `frame andcooperating top y:carrier is shown in Figures 6 and 7, which shows'onecooperating pair (frame and bracket) of the prefolder. Thus, in Figure 6there is provided a belt generally designated 105 having a horizontalcourse of travel 106 in the direction of the arrow 107. This belt beginsthis horizontal course of travel at the pulley 108 of drive lunit 15 andthe horizontal course of travel is terminated at the pulley 109 of driveunit 16. The belt then travels around a large drive pulley 110 which iskeyed to (but slideable on) the shaft l65 of the drive unit 16, thencecontinues around a guide pulley 111 another guide pulley 112, a takeuppulley 113 (these being mounted on folder frame 116) thence over a guidepulley 114 o n folder frame l116 near drive unit '.15 and around a largedrive pulley 115 keyed to (but slideable on) the shaft 64 of the driveunit 15 and the belt then continues to the originating pulley 108. Thisbelt 105 is continuous and therefore travels continuously over the pathdescribed. The support of the belt 105 and of all of the pulleys onwhich it travels (except drive pulleys 110 and 115) is by means of thefolder frame generally designated 116 in Figures 6 and 7. Folder frame116 may be considered as representative of all folder frames usedthroughout the entire machine.

Similarly in cooperation with the belt 105 there is an upper b elt 118having a horizontal course of travel at 119 parallel to and overlyingthe horizontal course of travel 106 of the belt 105.l This horizontalcourse of travel begins at the pulley 120 and ends at the pulley 121whence the belt continues over the idler pulleys 122 which may bearranged in any position desired for accomplishing the appropriate belttightening operation. The belt 118 then continues around the pulley 123and passes over a large drive pulley 124 which is keyed to (butslideable on) the shaft 71 of the drive unit 15 and thence returns overthe pulley 120. Belt 118 is likewise continuous.

All of the pulleys for guiding and driving the belt 118 (with theexception of pulley 124) and the stationary and other box blank guidingand folding devices which may be required at the upper level of the boxfolding operation areY carried on top carrier bracket 125 from the driveunit 15 or from the drive unit-16 or both. This top carrier is generallydesignated 125 in Figure 6..

As shown in Figure 7, which illustrates only the lower portion of themachine, there are three folder frames v116,` 126 and 127. There are acorresponding number of cooperating top carriers of which one, generallydesignated 125 in Figure 6, isshown. It will be understood that as manyvtop carriers as needed will be provided for lsupporting. the upper beltswhich cooperate with the belts on folder frames 116, 126 and 127.

In general it may be stated that all folder frames are s upported in acorresponding manner andv that all are adjustable so that they can bevmoved to any desired position relative to but always parallell to thelcenter line of the entire machine. The folder frames (116, 126 and 127)are mountedl sov that they can be moved parallel to the center line fromany one of a plurality of stations around the machine, and yet theoverall width of the machine is so greatly reduced, due to the absenceof main side frame members for the machine that the operator can standright. next to the folder frames. A description of the mounting of oneof the folder frames; is therefore considered suicient for illustrativepurposes.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, and to Figures 3.andx4, it will be notedthat on each of the drive units and at the incoming and outgoing sidesthereof, in respect to travel of the box blank therethrough, there areprovided transverse mounting rods for supporting the folder frames andtop carrier brackets. Thus referring to Figure 3, this figure showsdrive unit 16 at the junction of the prefolder. and gluer sections. Atthe lower part of the drive unit and to Yeach edge of each side frame751 member are attached side brackets 130 (near side -and` far left) andbrackets 140 (near side `and far side kright).I .Brackets 130 supportthree horizontal screws 131, 1321 and 133 and a cross-rail 157 whichrespectively supports the downstream ends of the three folder framesl116, 126 and 127 of the prefolder (see Figures 6 andA 7). Brackets 140similarly supports three horizontaly screws 141, 142 and 143 and across-rail 147, which in' turn support the (upstream) ends of the threefolder l All of the drive units areb Thus drive unit 15, Figures 6 Iand7, or brackets 140, support three screws (141-142-143) at that` drivestand which likewise the upstream ends of thel three folder frames 116,126 and 127 of the prefolder..

It is a feature of the invention that each of thef folder framessupporting box forming belts and folding:

frames of the gluer section. similar.

mechanisms between the drive units, may be adjusted laterally in respectto the center line of the machine. This adjustment is similar at alldrive units and descriptions in respect to those illustrated in Figures3, 6 and 7 will therefore suce. This provision is made, as follows, formoving the folder frames transversely in respect to the center line ofthe machine as shown by double arrow 167 of Figure 7. Thus, the upstreamends of the folder frame 116, 126 and 127 are supported upon ahorizontal stationary rail 147 extending transversely lat drive unit 15.This rail is supported from the side brackets on side frames 50 and 51of the drive unit 15. A similar rail 157, mounted on brackets 130 ofdrive unit 16 supports the downstream ends of the folder frames 116, 126and 127. At each end and under each folder frame are small brackets 148carrying rollers 149 resting on the rails to reduce friction. Thisconstruction is shown in Figure 3 for the upstream end of the rightfolder frame 116 of the gluer sections. All are similar. Extending fromthe bottom of the left end of the folder frame (and similarly for allother folder frame upstream ends) is a link 150 (see detail Figures 3and 9). The upper end of this link is pivotally attached to the loweredge of the upstream end of folder frame 116, as shown best in Figure 9,link 150 is enlarged at its lower end to form a hub 152 in which acylindrical nut 155 is journaled in bearings 153 and 154. The nut 155 isthreaded to turn on the screw 141, and at the right end of the nut (asshown in Figure 9) there is a ange 155A and at the left (reduced) end155B a gear 156 is keyed on. Outside the gear 156 there is keyed on achain sprocket 158. The nut 155 and the gear 156 and the sprocket 158thus rotate as a unit in the bearing 153-154 in the hub 152 and whenthus turned, will move the folder frame 116 as shown by the double arrow167, the direction depending upon the direction nut 155 is turned. Onthe hub there is another downwardly extending bear ing at 159, in whichthere is a rotatable collar 160 which is held in place at one end by apressed on gear 166 (which mates with gear 156) and is held at the otherend by collar 169. Collar 160 has a key at 161 that is arranged to slidein a keyway slot 162 in a crossl shaft 163. The cross shaft 163 is alsoshown in Figures 3, 6 and 7. The cross shaft extends out throughY thebrackets 140-140 at each side of the drive unitr and upon each extendingend there is provided a pin as at 164, upon which the operator mayconveniently place a removable wrench for turning the cross shaft. Whenthe operator turns the shaft 163, this also rotates the collar 160 whichthen turns gear 166 and the latter turns the gear 156 and, accordingly,the gear 156 is rotated. This causes the nut 155 to rotate and, as itrotates on the stationary threaded screw shaft 141, it causes theVentire hub 152 to move in one direction or the other (as shown by arrow167), depending upon the direction of rotation and this carries the endof` the folder frame 116 in the corresponding direction.

In order that the folder frame 116 should not be cocked but always moveparallel to successive positions paralel to the center line of themachine, the same motion is transmitted to the far end of thecorresponding folder frame 116 (see Figures 6, 7 and 9). This isaccomplished by means of the sprocket 158 and a corresponding sprocket168 at the opposite end of the folder frame at hub 165 (see Figures 6and 7). A chain 170 is arranged to run on these sprockets and,accordingly, as the shaft 163 is turned, this produces rotation of thenut 155 on the threaded stationary shaft 141 (left end Figures 6 and 7):and the sprocket 153 will produce rotation of the corresponding nut athub 165 at the far end of the folder Vframe 116 upon the threaded shaft131, thus moving that end cf the folder frame the same distance anddirection. `In this way, the entire folder frame 116 is caused to bemoved (translate) to any position along the two stationary threadedsupporting shafts 141 and 131, and yet always keeps its positionparallel to the center line of the machine. The link motion at 150permits a slight amount of misalignment without imposing undue stresseson the various elements. The link motion 150 is provided only at oneend, namely the upstream end (left in Figures 6 and 7), of each of thefolder frames. At the downstream end of each folder frame the nuts 155are merely journaled in a suitable hub 165 similar to hub 150, attacheddirectly to the web of the folder frame as at hub 165, right todownstream end of folder frame 116, Figure 6. This is equivalent tomaking the device as illustrated in Figure 9, but without the pinconnection at 150. At hub 165, the parts 150-152 are attached solid withthe web of the folder frame 116.

Any slight movement about pin 151 (at the upstream end, left Figure 6)might be thought to be opposed by the support (against rotation of hub152) afforded by shafts 141 and 163. To some extent this is true,however, the movement at pin 151 is very small, and shaft 163 has enoughflexibility to permit the required motions. At the hub of 165 there isprovided a gear corresponding to the gear 156, see Figure 9, and asprocket corresponding to sprocket 166. The latter sprocket is mountedupon the adjustment shaft 171, which is supported in the side frames130-130 on the drive unit 16 similarly to the brackets 140 andadjustment shaft 163. The adjustment shaft 171 is likewise provided withpins 174 at fr opposite ends and a keyway, along which keyed hub 160(corresponding to Figure 9 construction) may slide. Accordingly, theoperator may place his adjusting wrench on either end of the adjustmentshaft 171 (at drive unit 16) or on either end of the adjustment shaft163 at drive unit 15, and by merely rotating (others) the shafts willproduce the translation of the folder frame 116 to a new position ofadjustment along the two screws 141 and 131.

Each of the folder frames 116, 126 and 127 is mounted correspondingly.It will be understood that, in general, the mode of mounting of folderframes in each section of the machine will be in this way. At each endthere is provided a rail, as rails 147 and 157 and the ends of thefolder frames are provided with rollers to ride on these rails. Then foreach end of every folder frame there is provided a screw and a nutoperating thereon (as screws 141 and 131 and the nuts 155 thereon) andprovision is made for imposing simultaneously at each end of the folderframe relative rotation of the nut with reference to the screw, therebycausing translation motion of the folder frame relative to the centerline of the machine.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention the screws 141 and 131are shown as stationary and nuts 155 are turned, but this is merely amatter of choice. If desired the nuts 155 can be held stationary in thefolder frame and the screws journaled for turning. ln such form thescrew would have a key slot and by having sprocket 158 keyed therein andheld for sliding on the screw by a bracket against the folder frame thesprocket is available for turning or transmitting screw motion. Then bycoupling such keyed on sprockets at both ends by a chain, both screwscan be rotated simultaneously. According to the present invention theillustrated mode of construction is preferred for mechanical designreasons, since the screws are solidly mounted they also serve as crossframe members for the drive units. Only little bearings are needed forthe shafts 163 and 171 whereas large ones would be needed for thescrews. Also a screw with a key slot is difficult to make, and notstrong.

All pulleys for mounting the box blank carrier belts, and all stationarydevices are carried on the appropriate folder frames and hence move withthem. The mounting of the belt under-support and drive pulleys for thevarious folder frame box carrier belts is illustrated in Figure 8.Referring to Figure 8, it will be noted that there is shown thereon anenlarged section through the drive-shaft of the drive unit 16. Thisdrive-shaft is provided with a keyway 65A throughout its entireeffective operating width between the side-frames of the drive unit andon the shaft 65 there is mounted a pulley (110, 86 and 178) for each ofthe folder frames. Thus, for the folder frame 116, there is provided apulley 110. For the folder frame 126, there is provided a pulley 86. Forthe folder frame 127, there is provided a pulley 178. In each instance7the pulley hub is provided with a key cooperating with keyslot 65A sothe pulley will turn with the shaft but still is permitted to slidealong the shaft. The hub is also provided with a circumferential groovesuch as the groove 110A for the pulley 110 and in this vgroove therefits a plate 116A fastened to the folder frame. The plate is of steeland has a partial circumferential notch in its lower edge which is facedwith tough plastic layers 116B, which t into the groove of the pulley,as groove 110A, and by means of which the pulley is held in alignmentwith the folder frame itself. Thus, as the folder frame is caused to bemoved in either direction, as shown by the double arrow 167 of Figure 8,such motion is transmitted through the plate 116A-116B to the groove110A and hence also correspondingly moves the pulley 110 and causes itto slide along in one direction or the other upon the shaft 65 whilekeyed thereto. Now, it should be remembered that there is a limit ofadjustment position. Thus when the folder frames 116, 126 and 127 areall brought towards each other, their motion will be stopped when thehubs of all the pulleys 110, 176 and 178 are brought into abutment.However, the folder frames 116, 126, and 127 may be spread apart, oneplaced at one position, measured from the center line of the machine,another at another position and a third at lstill another position,appropriate to the size of the box blank being operated upon. Regardlessof the position, the pulley 110 of folder frame 116, pulley 86 of folderframe 126 and pulley 178 of folder frame 127 will always be moved andheld in alignment with the folder frame and hence the box blank carryingbelts which run over the pulleys 110, 86 and 178 respectively willalways run true. The belt under-support pulleys 116B, as on folder frame116, pulley 126B on folder frame 126 and pulley 127B on folder frame127. The belt support pulleys are of any approved design and are mountedon the folder frames for appropriately supporting the travel of thebelt. The pulley 109, see Figure 6, at drive unit 16, which decides thelimit of movement of the belt along its path of movement 106, islikewise journaled in the folder frame 116. Similarly, the pulleys 112and 113 are mounted appropriately on the folder frame 116. This is alsotrue for the pulleys 108 and 114 at drive unit 15. The pulley 115 isslidably keyed on shaft 64 and is held with reference to the folderframe 116 at drive unit 15 in a manner precisely similar to that for thepulley at folder frame 16. Therefore, as the folder frame 116 is movedor translated from one position to another, parallel to the center-lineof the machine,-every pulley upon which the box blank support belttravels is likewise 13 moved. This is also true of any other folderframe and the pulleys mounted on each of them and the belts carriedthereby. It will be understood that the pattern of travel of the boxblank support belts and the placement of guide pulleys may be varied,but pulleys 110, 186 and 178 (Figure 8) are always as described.

In addition to the lower belts which carry the box blanks, there are, inevery box-forming machine, cooperating upper belts. The paths of travelof the upper belts are varied widely depending upon the scheme ofoperation of the box-forming machine, but in general, the upper beltwill travel parallel to and superimposed upon the lower belt-for atleast a portion of the path of travel of the lower belt and will then beguided by an appropriately mounted pulley out of contact with the blankand the blank is then operated upon in one way cooperating folder framesand top carrier according to the present invention, the upper beltmounting top carriers is arranged to be moved transversely of themachine simultaneously an amount and direction exactly equaling thecorresponding movement of the cooperating folder frame beneath it. Thusreferring to Figure 6, for the folder frame 116 there is for example,provided a top carrier, generally designated 125 upon which the belt 118is mounted. The path of travel of belt 118 is from pulley 120, thence inthe direction of arrow 109 along a path contacting the upper surface ofbelt 105 (at 106), and thence to pulley 121, which may be cocked, thenceback around tightener pulleys 122 and under pulley 123, thence up arounddrive pulley 124 on shaft 71 of drive unit 15 and to pulley 120. Unit169 is a top carrier hold-down which contains a plurality of rollers(not shown) bearing on the top of belt 118, between pulleys 120 and 121.The top carrierhold-down is mounted on threaded posts 125A125A connectedto top carrier bracket 125, to allow for adjustment vertically `of unit169, as is well known. Now, the pulley 124 is keyed to shaft 71, but canslide along the shaft, the position of pulley 124 along the shaft beingdetermined by a fork 125B on bracket 125, the fork reaching into agroove in the hub of pulley 124, in a manner precisely similar to theway pulleys 110, 86 and 178 are held with reference to folder frames116, 126 and 127 respectively, as shown in Figure 8. Hence when topcarrier bracket 125 is moved (translated) one way or the other relativeto the path of movement of the boX blanks thru the machine, pulley 124will also be correspondingly slid along shaft 71, and all belts, pulleysand appurtenances on top carrier 125 will be moved correspondingly.

For mounting the top carrier bracket 125 (and similarly, for mountingevery other top carrier used in the upper portion of the machine), thereare provided at each of the drive units 15, 16, 17, etc., mechanisms asfollows. (Please refer to Figure 3.) At the upper part of each of thedrive units there is a horizontal cross shaft 182, preferably madesquare, and a circular cross shaft 183. These cross shafts arestationary and extend from one side frame to the opposite side framemember of drive unit. The cross shafts are most conveniently carriedupon upper brackets 184-184 which are bolted on to the side frames 50and 51.

Figure 6 shows (beginning at the left in this view), approximatelyone-half ofthe drive unit 15, from approximately the transverse verticalcenter-line therethru, thence continuing thru the prefolder section toapproximately the center of the next drive unit 16. By referring toFigure 3 (which is illustrative of not only the particu-` lar drive unit16 there shown, but also of all drive units), it will be noted thatthere are brackets 184 and brackets on the upper part of the drive unit.The brackets 184 support the square shaft 182 and the round shaft 183.The bracket 185 supports another square shaft 202 and a round shaft 201.These square and round shafts are simply cross-frame members and extendbetween side frames 50 and 51 of the drive units and form slides uponwhich the various top carrier brackets are mounted for supporting theupper belt pulleys, stationary devices, etc., used in the box formingmechanism. The shape of a particular top carrier bracket will vary tosuit its location, but all are fitted on these round and square shafts.Thus the frame 125 is provided with an aperture through which the roundshaft 183 passes and a' square notch in which the square shaft 182 isfitted. The frame can then slide transversely on these two transversestructural supports on the drive unit. The open side of the square notchat shaft 182 helps prevent binding. In order to impose a transversemovement on top carrier 125, it is provided with an upstanding ear at125C having in it a screw threaded aperture 126. In this threadedaperture there is fitted a transverse screw threaded shaft 187 whichextends from one of the brackets 184 on one side of the drive unit tothe other bracket 184 at the opposite side of the drive unit. The shaft187 has on its a sprocket 189 (which is tted to the shaft by means of adog or pin clutchsee Figures 12A and 12B) and over this sprocket is runa rollertype chain 190 which goes down and runs yaround another sprocketat 191 mounted on the adjusting shaft 163. Therefore, when the operatorturns the shaft 163 to move the folder frame 116, as previouslydescribed, this will also turn the shaft 187 (assuming the clutch insprocket 189 is engaged) and, therefore, causes to move the top carrierbracket 125 in a direction either one way or the other, across the widthof the machine and an amount and direction corresponding to the movementof the folder frame 116.

Referring to Figures 12A and 12B, shaft 187 is a tube, threadedat 187Bto go thru the threaded opening in lug 125C, Figure 3, to shift frame125. Shaft 187 has a bore 187A, thru which clutch control rod 177 passesentirely thru from end to end and at each end it has knobs 177A forshifting the rod 177 back and forth to allow control from either side ofthe machine. Tubular screw shaft 187 has a collar 207 held tight thereonwhich holds shaft between frame members 184 at opposite sides Aofthe'machine. Sprocket 189 has a thick hub journaled on the outer surfaceof shaft 187. The hub of sprocket 189 has a bore at 189A and at thebottom of the bore is a cross slot 189B to receive pin 177B of controlshaft 177. Pin'177B protrudes thru slots 187D in the shaft 187. Whenknob 177A is moved to the dotted position pin 177B will vbe pulled outof slot 189 (where it is in driving engagement with the sprocket), tothe bore 189A where the ends of pin 177B are free and not driven bysprocket 189. The sprocket bore is covered by collar 173, whichtherefore holds the sprocket from sliding out on shaft 187.

The pitch of the screw on shaft 187 and size of the sprocket 189 isappropriate to keep the top carrier bracket 125 and the folder frame 116always positioned in vertical alignment or at some appropriate positionof displacement according to design requirements of the machine.However, by disengaging the sprocket clutch Figures 12A and 12B, the topcarrier and folder frame can be moved independently.

The shaft 187 is provided at each of its ends with a cross-pin uponwhich the operator may place his operating wrench. Therefore, there arethese two additional stations at the drive unit 15 where the operatorcan place a wrench for moving not only the top carrier 125, but also thefolder frame 116.

As shown in Figure 6, at the opposite end of the pre- A15 foldersection, at drive unit 16 there may, for example, be provided anothertop carrier generally designated 200 which is similarly mounted upon thedrive unit 16 by means of a round cross-frame shaft 201, and a squarecross-frame shaft 202. The top carrier 200 may in this instance carrythe box opening plow 203, which is mounted upon vertical threaded studsMP4-204 which pass through appropriate apertures in the bracket 200 andare held by the pairs of nuts 205-205- By means of these verticalposition of the sword 203 may be adjusted with reference to the path oftravel of the underlying belt 105. The transverse position of the topcarrier bracket is determined by an upstanding bracket at 200A having athreaded aperture therein through which a threaded shaft 210 passes.This threaded shaft is journaled in appropriate brackets 185 at eachside of the drive unit 16. The shaft 210 is provided at one end with asprocket 211 which is mounted on shaft 210 by the pin clutch shown inFigures 12A and 12B and sprocket 210 is connected by the drive chain 212to a corresponding sprocket 213 on the shaft 171 at drive unit 16. Theshaft 171, as will be remembered, has been mentioned with reference tothe folder frame 116. Thus, the two shafts 163 and 171 of folder frame116 are connected by chain belt 170, see Figure 7. Also shaft 163 isconnected by chain 190 to shaft 187 and shaft 171 is connected by chain212 to shaft 21). Hence when the operator places a wrench on either endof any of the shafts 187, 163, 210 or 171 and rotates it, all shaftswill be turned in unison and the two upper top carrier brackets 125 and200 will be moved and the folder frame 116 will be correspondinglymoved, precisely and simulaneously in exact cooperating relationshipfrom one position to another transversely relative to the centerline ofthe machine. Therefore, at the drive unit 15, there are four stationswhere the operator may place his adjusting wrench and at the drive unit16 four additional stations, total of eight, at which an adjustment ofthe folder frames 116 and the top carrier brackets 125 and 200 may bemade.

All other cooperating sets of folder frames and top carrier brackets ofthe prefolder section and gluer section and other sections which may beused in the machine between successive drive units are similarlyconstructed and each set may be similarly and independently operated inrespect to the other sets, for adjusting the machine for making varioussizes of boxes.

Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, the over-all widthof the machine is very much narrowed since there are no side-framemembers of the machine which interfere with the operator. Accordingly,an operator may stand at the station A or at stations B, C or D, or atany place close in to the box-shaping mechanism, as for example atstations E and F (see Figure 7) and without stooping or bending adjustthe machine and its components.

As will be noted from Figure 4, the box blank travels with the beltaccording to arrow 82. The box enters from the feed table or feeder tothe nip face 220 between the belts Si) and 92 or other belts at theupstream end of the prefolder section and they then pass along and arecarried by the belts of the prefolder and are not liberated until theyare delivered from the prefolder as between pulleys 85 and 95, seeFigure 4. The box blanks then project unsupported across the verticaltransverse center line CL16 of drive unit 16 and as the leading edge ofthe box blank proceeds, it passes between the belts of the gluer, as forexample, belts 2519 and 251 where they run around the pulleys 253 and272. The box blank then proceeds thru the gluer and is carried by thevarious belts in the gluer section until the blank passes the verticalcenterplane CL17 of drive unit 17, and enters the conveyor section. Itis a feature of the present invention that the box blank is thusprogressed as shown in greater detail in Figure from one stage of themachine to the other, but the stages are independent of each other andare spaced but in close proximity at the transverse centerplane of eachof the drive units. This provides what may be designated a flyingtransfer of the box blanks from one box forming stage to another boxforming stage.

This mode of operation has the advantage in that each stage of themachine is a separate entity and yet is driven and operates insynchronism with all other stages due to the common drive along thecenter line drive shaft which operates all of the drive units, each insynchronism and unison with all others. Such construction allows theinsertion of varying stages merely by inserting additional drive unitsand appropriate folder frames and top carriers between adjacent rollstands. Also any one of the set of three folder frames of one section,such as the prefolder and any one of the set of three folder frames ofthe next section, for example the gluer, do not overlap and hence can beadjusted at will, since they do not interfere with each other at theiradjacent ends. This vastly increases the range of adjustments in thebox-making machine.

While there has been herein described a specific form of the invention,it should be understood that the same may be altered in many particulars`and arrangement of parts without ydeparture from the `spirit and thescope of the invention which is only limited by the appended frame. Thedrawings are not scale, and some liberty has been taken in omission ofusual parts.

While I have herein shown and described one specific embodiment of theinvention for the sake of disclosure, it is to be understood that theinvention is not limited to such specific embodiment but contemplatesall variations thereof as fairly fall within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What I claim is:

l. A box making machine comprising a plurality of drive units at spacedintervals along the longitudinal center line of the path of movement ofthe box blank through the machine, a power transmission gearing at eachdrive unit along said center line, box blank operating mechanismsmounted `on adjacent drive units and operated by said gearings and powertransmission shafts connecting the gearings of successive drive units.

2. The box making machine of claim 1 further characterized in that mainframe members are provided for connecting the successive drive units,said main frame members being positioned so as to enclose thetransmission shafts, said drive units extending transversely of themachine center line substantially beyond said main frame members.

3. A box making machine wherein a box blank is moved along a prescribedpath of motion through a plurality of box forming zones including blankfeeding, folding, gluing and delivery zones, drive units betweensuccessive zones, each of said drive units including side frames, deningthe width of the machine in a direction transversely to the path ofmotion of the box blank, a tier of stationary transverse frame membersand rotatable transverse shafts 'oeing provided at each side of thetransverse vertical center line of each drive unit and mounted thereonso as to form the support and rotary power supply shafts for box formingdevices supported by the drive units, a gearbox at each drive unitpositioned along the longitudinal center line of the path of motion ofthe box blank through the machine, shafting connecting the gearboxes ofsuccessive drive units, gearing on at least one side frame lof eachdrive unit connected to the gearbox -of said drive unit and to therotary power supply shafts of said drive unit for rotating themV andnarrow main frame members connecting the drive units near the basesthereof and enclosing the shafting connecting the gearboxes ofsuccessive drive units.

4. The box making machine of claim 3 further characterized in that thedrive units are of substantially uni- :form construction.

5. The box making machine of claim 3 further characterized in thatlongitudinal frames are mounted upon adjacent transverse stationaryframe members of successive drive units so as to be supported therebyand pulleys are mounted on said longitudinal frames so as to be drivenby the adjacent rotary shafts of successive drive units, and boxcarrying continuous belts arranged to run on said pulleys, the path oftravel of the belts in each Zone terminating within the longitudinalspace defined by the vertical transverse centerplanes of successivedrive units.

6. The box making machine of claim further characterized in that meansis provided on the drive units for translating the positions of thelongitudinal frames while maintaining them parallel to path of motion ofthe box blank through the machine.

7. In a box forming machine, the improvement comprising successive driveunits at spaced intervals along the center line of the path of motion ofa box blank through the machine, each drive unit being composed of sideframes spaced at each side of said center line, a plurality oftransverse screw threaded shafts extending between and supported by saidside frames at a low level thereon, a lower rotary shaft journaled insaid side frames near said level, a plurality of folder frames extendingfrom one drive unit to the next and mounted so as to be carried by atransverse screw threaded supporting shaft of one drive unit at one endand by a transverse screw threaded supporting shaft yof the next driveunit at the other end, nut means on the folder frames at the points ofmounting of the folder frames on its supporting shafts at opposite endsthereof and means connecting said shafts and nut means at 4opposite ends"of the same folder frame imposing simultaneous relative motion of thenut means and screw threaded shafts for imposing like motion on each endof the folder frame for moving the folder frame in a directiontransverse to said center line to varying positions parallel to saidcenter line, and pulley means key mounted on the rotary shafts ofsuccessive drive units and -on said folder frames for rotation by saidrotary shafts and keyed sliding movement along said shafts with saidfolder frames.

8. The box making machine of claim 7 further characterized in that thenut means is journaled in the folder frames and the screw threadedshafts are stationary.

9. The box making machine of claim 8 further characterized in that eachdrive unit is provided with one transverse rotary adjuster shaft foreach screw threaded shaft, said adjuster shafts being provided withadjuster gear means connected in gear driving relation to and forrotating said nut means, said adjuster gear means being slidable alongthe adjuster shaft while rotating therewith.

10. The box making machine of claim 7 further characterized in thatsupplementary rail supports are provided across each drive unit forsupporting some Iof the weight of the folder frames.

11. The box making machine of claim 7 further characterized in that thenut means on at least one end of each folder frame is mounted for slightmovement endwise in respect to the folder frame.

12. The box making machine of claim 7 further characterized in that atleast some drive units of the machine are provided with uppertransversely extending rails at a higher level for supporting topcarriers above said folder frames for sliding translatory movement aboveand simultaneously with said folder frames, and means is providedinterconnecting the folder frames and cooperating top carriers forsimultaneously moving them in unison transversely of said center line.

13. The box making machine of claim l2 further characterized in thatsaid drive units are provided with transverse upper rotary shafts eachprovided with drive means so as to be driven in unison with one of saidlower rotary shafts and pulley means is mounted for axial slidingmovement thereon while being driven thereby and means is provided forholding said pulley in alignment with a top carrier carried by upperrails.

14. In a box making machine a support and transmission drive unitcomposed of frame members spaced generally parallel along side of thecenter line of the path of movement of a box blank through said machine,said drive unit being generally symmetrical about a vertical planetransverse to said center line, said drive unit being characterized inthat at each side of said centerplane and at a lower level there areprovided a plurality of transverse rail members, at least one of whichis a screw threaded shaft and at least one transverse lower level shaftjournaled in said side frames at approximately said lower level andfurther characterized in that at `an upper level that at least one sideof said centerplane there are provided a plurality of fixed rails and atleast one transverse threaded screw shaft and a transverse upper levelshaft journaled in said side frames at said upper level.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that for eachscrew threaded shaft at said lower level there is provided a companionparallel mounted adjustment shaft journaled in said side frames.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 further characterized :in that pulleys aremounted on said lower level and upper level shafts at each side of saidcenterplane, the diameters of the pulleys being such that when a belt isrun thereon it will not pass beyond said centerplane. U

17. A box making machine wherein a box blank 1s moved along a prescribedpath of movement through a plurality of box forming zones includingblank feeding, folding, gluing .and delivery zones, drive units betweensuccessive zones, each of said drive units including side framesdefining the width of the machine in a direction transverse to the pathof movement of the box blank, a tier of stationary transverse framemembers and rotatable transverse shafts being provided at each side ofthe transverse vertical center line of each drive unit and mountedthereon so as to form the support and rotary power supply shafts for boxforming devices supported by the drive units, a gearbox at each driveunit positioned along a line paralleling the path of movement of the boxblank through the machine, shafting connecting the gearboxes ofsuccessive drive units, gearing on at least one side frame of each driveunit connected to the gearbox of said drive unit and to the rotary powersupply shafts of said drive unit for rotating them, one side framemember of each drive unit constituting an enclosed gear housing whereinthe gearing of said drive unit is contained, and narrow main machineframe members connecting the drive units near the bases thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,104,013 Staude July 21, 1914 1,298,586 Sidebotham Mar. 25, 19191,613,132 Rosener Jan. 4, 1927 2,068,163 Bowersock et al. Jan. 19, 19372,125,147 Bergstein July 26, 1938

